THE STATE OF LOCAL RETAIL

Montana

We analyzed transactions for every day of the 2017 calendar year at 54,000 small, independent retailers across America. The result is a comprehensive look at when local retailers earn the most money, when they’re busiest, and which states make the most from patrons who #shoplocal.

Understanding this report

To understand the average day for retailers in America, we need to take a multidimensional look at the revenue performance on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. To do this we break retailers’ daily revenue into the three key fundamental metrics we’ll use to identify trends:

Transactions, or how many individual payments retailers process, give us a sense of when retailers are busiest. While it is not an indication of visitors, it does tell us how many individual payments are processed during the period.

Purchase Price, or how much patrons spend on average per transaction, is an interesting metric to track for retailers. Often, the biggest revenue days for retailers are the same days when consumers spend the least per transaction.

Revenue is the metric that most business owners are familiar with. It’s the result of the number of transactions processed during the period and the amount consumers spent per transaction. It’s our mainsail metric and the one we used most to track the seasonal impact on local retailers.

Montana: LOCAL RETAILERS’ AVERAGE DAY

To get started, let’s take a look at the average day for local retailers in The Treasure State: Montana. On an average day, local retailers in Montana process 6.9 transactions at $115 per purchase, which results in $792 in daily revenue. Compared to retailers in other states, Montana’s average daily revenue is 49.7% lower. They average 46.8% fewer transactions on a daily basis and their customers spend 5.5% less per purchase than consumers nationally.

MONTANA’S AVERAGE DAY

REVENUE: $792

TRANSACTIONS: 6.9

PURCHASE PRICE: $115

REVENUE RANK: 47th

All told, this makes Montana the 47th-ranked state for daily revenue generation, which puts them between New Mexico (46th) and Vermont (48th) in our national ranking.

Montana: local retailers’ average week

Next, let’s look beyond the daily trends to the average sales week for retailers in Montana. In 2017, local retailers in Montana typically made $5,562 each week, thanks to 49 weekly transactions at the average purchase price of $115.

MONTANA’S AVERAGE WEEK

REVENUE: $5,562

TRANSACTIONS: 49

PURCHASE PRICE: $115

Montana’s local retailers’ average weekly revenue is 149.7% lower than the national average, and they process 46.2% fewer transactions than retailers nationally each week.

Montana: local retailers’ average daily revenue by day of the week

While it’s helpful to know what an average week looks like, most business owners can tell you just how different each day of the week can be for sales. To see how daily revenue changes during the week, refer to the top-center chart.

Independent retailers in Montana typically make $962 on Fridays which is 21.5% better than their average day, and 50.4% lower than retailers nationally. On the flip-side, Sunday is typically the slowest day for retailers in Montana, generating only $273.

Montana: local retailers’ daily transactions by day of the week

To see how the number of daily transactions changes from day to day, refer to the graph labeled, “transactions.”

In Montana, local retailers tend to be busiest on Saturdays. With an average of 8.6 daily transactions, Saturday is 24.9% better than their average day. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Sunday, their slowest day of the week, when they only average 3.4 transactions.

Montana: local retailers’ purchase price across the days of the week

Purchase price changes are quite interesting. In general, as the week goes on, the amount customers typically pay per purchase drops to the point that consumers are paying the least they pay all week on the busiest days for local retailers. To see how Montana compares to the national trend, refer to the graph labeled, “purchase price.”

In Montana, Tuesday is the day when consumers are spending the most per purchase, averaging $134 per purchase.

Montana: local retailers’ weekday vs. weekend

Next, let’s see how consumer spending at local retailers in Montana varies from weekdays to weekends. In this analysis, we have grouped Monday-Thursday as “weekdays,” and Friday-Sunday as “weekends.”

Let’s look at the overall revenue contribution of weekdays and weekends. Over the the course of an average week, local retailers in Montana make about $876 on weekdays and $681 on weekends.

Montana: local retailers’ top 3 weeks

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that most states have their best sales week during the holiday rush, but did you know that in 2017 the week leading up to Christmas Eve (December 17 to December 23) was the single best week for local retailers in 39 states and it was in the top-three weeks for 84% of local retailers nationally? Here’s a look at Montana’s top three weeks:

BEST WEEK

December 17 – December 23

140% higher than their average week

SECOND-BEST WEEK

December 10 – December 16

123% higher than their average week

THIRD-BEST WEEK

June 25 – July 1

120% higher than their average week

Montana: local retailers’ average month

Now, let’s look at the average sales month for retailers in Montana and how annual revenue is distributed across the months of the year, as well as how much retailers in Montana typically made each month.

MONTANA’S AVERAGE MONTH

REVENUE: $24,103

TRANSACTIONS: 210

PURCHASE PRICE: $115

For starters, local retailers in Montana average $24,103 in revenue each month, thanks to 210 monthly transactions at an average purchase price of $115.

Compared to retailers nationally, Montana’s retailers’ average monthly revenue is 49.7% lower, and they process about 46.8% fewer transactions on a daily basis.

Montana: local retailers’ percentage of annual revenue by month

In the graph above, we see the highest and lowest revenue-generating months for local retailers in Montana. This shows us that the average Montana retailer makes 9.8% of their annual revenue in August alone. In 2017, the retailers in Montana averaged $28,200 for the month. By contrast, January is typically the slowest month for retailers in Montana, as it only generates 6.4% of their annual revenue.

While a few percentage points may not seem that significant, there is a $9,719 difference in total monthly revenue between their best and slowest months.

Montana: local retailers’ average daily revenue by month

Next, we’ll take a look at the daily revenue for local retailers on a month-to-month basis. The three graphs above illustrate just how much the average daily revenue, transactions, and purchase prices fluctuate from month to month.

For example, the best month for local retailer revenues in Montana is August, when local retailers typically make $910 per day.

Montana: local retailers’ average daily transactions by month

Next, we see how the average daily transaction volume varies from month to month, revealing the ebbs and flows of shoppers visiting local retailers in Montana. We can see that in June–the month when their transaction volume is highest–local retailers average 7.9 daily transactions.

Montana: local retailers’ average daily purchase price by month

Which month do consumers spend the most per-purchase with local retailers in Montana? November. Consumers tend to spend $127 per purchase, compared to their usual purchase price of $115.

Montana: LOCAL RETAILERS’ AVERAGE YEAR

The graphs above give us a week-by-week look at revenue, transactions, and purchase price trends for local retailers in Montana across an entire year. Each flat line represents a full Sunday-to-Saturday week.

MONTANA’S AVERAGE YEAR

REVENUE: $289,237

TRANSACTIONS: 2,522

PURCHASE PRICE: $115

All told, Montana retailers make about $289,237 in annual revenue over 2,522 total transactions at an average purchase price of $115. Compared to the retailers on the national level, retailers in Montana made 49.7% less in 2017 and processed 46.8% fewer transactions.

Montana: local retailers’ year-end trends

Unsurprisingly, the closer we get to the end of the year, the higher the weeks rank for sales. The end-of-year holiday rush is, without a doubt, the single biggest money-making period for retailers across the country, as well as for retailers in Montana.

Notice the general trends of Montana’s overall revenue, transactions and purchase price as they draw closer to the end of the year. On a national level, transactions spike the closer they get to Christmas, while the average purchase price drops as consumers take advantage of holidays deals. Take a look at the revenue trends for Montana and how they compare to the national trend.

Montana: LOCAL RETAILERS’ KEY HOLIDAY SALES PERIODS

The holidays are high season for retail sales. In fact, many states make 1 out of every 4 dollars during this period. Let’s look at how important November and December are in terms of total annual revenue generation and what an average day during these months looks like.

Montana: local retailers during November and December

With November and December accounting for so much of the revenue generated during the course of the year, it helps to know what the “average day” during this period looks like and how it compares to the “average day” during the rest of the year.

During November and December, local retailers average $854 in daily revenue which is 7.7% higher than their average day. Those same retailers process 7.2 transactions on a daily basis (3.6% more than their average day). And the consumers’ average purchase price increases 4% to $119.

All said, the months of November and December account for 18% of Montana’s annual revenue generation and 17.3% of the year’s total transactions.

Montana: local retailers from Thanksgiving to Christmas

For many people, including most retailers, the holiday sales season doesn’t begin until Black Friday. In fact, the sales periods from Thanksgiving to Christmas is a four-week sprint for retailers across the country.

In Montana, local retailers typically average $936 in daily revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s a 18.2% bump from their average day. Those same retailers process 8.1 transactions on a daily basis (a 17.8% lift compared to their average day), and the consumers’ average purchase price increases 0.3% to $115.

All told, the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas sales period accounts for 10.4% of the revenue and 10.3% of the year’s transactions for retailers in Montana.

Montana: LOCAL RETAILERS’ REVENUE TRENDS ON BLACK FRIDAY, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, AND CYBER MONDAY

You can’t talk about holiday sales without mentioning Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. In fact, they are some of the best revenue-generating days for local business owners across the country. Let’s closer look at each of these key sales days.

Montana: local retailers’ average Black Friday

On average, in 2017, Black Friday was the best sales day of the year for local retailers. When we ranked all 365 days of the year for the amount of revenue generated, Black Friday was one of the top 3 days for 40 of the 50 states. In fact, Black Friday was in the top 20 days for every state but Arkansas (where it was the 42nd-best) and Wisconsin (81st).

For local retailers in Montana, Black Friday was the 1st-best revenue-generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $1,457 in daily revenue, which is 83.8% better than their average day.

BLACK FRIDAY IN MONTANA

DAY RANK: 1st

REVENUE: $1,457

TRANSACTIONS: 12.7

PURCHASE PRICE: $115

Compared to the national average retailer, those in Montana made 52.8% less in daily revenue on Black Friday. They averaged 12.7 transactions, which is 51.3% less than the national average. Their average purchase price of $115 is 3.2% lower than other states.

Montana: local retailers’ average Small Business Saturday

It’s hard to follow up Black Friday’s monumental revenue lift, but Small Business Saturday still packs a punch for local retailers’ revenue. It’s in the top 100 days of the year for 37 states and the 15th-best day of the year nationally.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN MONTANA

DAY RANK: 81st

REVENUE: $991

TRANSACTIONS: 10.2

PURCHASE PRICE: $97

For independent retailers in Montana, Small Business Saturday was the 81st-highest revenue generating day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $991 in daily revenue, 10.2 transactions, and a purchase price of $97. Compared to retailers across the country, Small Business Saturday revenues were 50.5% below the national average in Montana.

Montana: local retailers’ average Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday isn’t just for e-commerce companies like Amazon; it’s the 11th-best sales day of the year for local retailers across the United States.

For local retailers in Montana, Cyber Monday was their 88th-best day of the year. Across the state, local retailers averaged $984 in daily revenue, 6.9 transactions, and an average purchase price of $142.

CYBER MONDAY IN MONTANA

DAY RANK: 88th

REVENUE: $984

TRANSACTIONS: 6.9

PURCHASE PRICE: $142

Compared to the national average retailer, Montana’s local retailers made 54.3% less in daily revenue on Cyber Monday. Their transactions were 52.3% below the national average, while their average purchase price was 4.2% lower than other states.

Montana: local retailers’ prominent days vs. their average day

Retailers put a lot of focus and work into holidays and big-sale days. Here’s how Montana retailers’ prominent days rank compared to their average day.

DAY

RANK/365

DAILY REVENUE

CHANGE IN REVENUE

DAILY TRANSACTIONS

CHANGE IN TRANSACTIONS

AVG PURCHASE PRICE

CHANGE IN PURCHASE PRICE

MLK day

267

$ 707.59

-11%

6.09

-12%

$ 116.20

1%

Valentine’s Day

56

$ 1,033.01

30%

9.53

38%

$ 108.37

-5%

President’s Day

192

$ 822.45

4%

6.94

0%

$ 118.48

3%

St. Patrick’s Day

109

$ 953.11

20%

8.39

21%

$ 113.58

-1%

Easter Sunday

365

$ 69.63

-91%

1.25

-82%

$ 55.82

-51%

Cinco de Mayo

122

$ 938.74

18%

7.73

12%

$ 121.46

6%

Mother’s Day

347

$ 240.32

-70%

3.53

-49%

$ 68.16

-41%

Memorial Day

270

$ 696.73

-12%

6.13

-11%

$ 113.65

-1%

Father’s Day

355

$ 227.83

-71%

3.25

-53%

$ 70.01

-39%

July 4th

338

$ 254.17

-68%

3.86

-44%

$ 65.86

-43%

Veteran’s Day

200

$ 814.44

3%

7.53

9%

$ 108.22

-6%

Thanksgiving

363

$ 140.63

-82%

1.54

-78%

$ 91.35

-20%

Black Friday

1

$ 1,456.85

84%

12.70

84%

$ 114.67

0%

Small Business Saturday

81

$ 990.60

25%

10.20

48%

$ 97.12

-15%

Cyber Monday

88

$ 983.95

24%

6.92

0%

$ 142.10

24%

Christmas Eve

309

$ 431.36

-46%

4.81

-30%

$ 89.66

-22%

Christmas Day

364

$ 74.09

-91%

0.87

-87%

$ 84.89

-26%

New Year’s Eve

345

$ 241.80

-69%

3.15

-54%

$ 76.73

-33%

METHODOLOGY

Womply analyzed daily revenue for 54,000 local, independent retailers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for all 365 days of the 2017 calendar year. Retailers were only qualified for the analysis if Womply had a full year of transaction history and the business recorded multiple transactions per day. Category and overall state rankings are based on a composite score of each state’s transactions, average ticket sizes, and overall daily revenue.

ABOUT WOMPLY

Womply is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider to small businesses and one of the fastest growing software companies in America. Our mission is to help small businesses thrive in a digital world. Every day we serve more than 100,000 small businesses across 400+ business verticals, in every corner of America. To learn more, visit https://www.womply.com or email info@womply.com.